Front Seat Belt Buckle Assembly problems of the 1998 Buick Park Avenue

Driver's side seat belt, shoulder harness would not extend. Several days later the passenger's side harness would not extend either. There was a recall on seat belt, but consumer's vehicle was not included.

The seat belts will not stay tensioned due to misshaped slot in the seat belt guide which allows the seat belt to double and jam during normal driving motions. This was corrected in the 1999 models by reshaping of the slot in the plastic guide. Buick customer service originally said there was a service bulletin to cover the problem, but now says this was an error. The dealer investigated possibility of putting new guide slot same as 1999 model, but sid could not be done. This is a constant road hazard due to inability to keep seat belts tight.